Superiority of the Latke:The Unexpected Convergence of Quantum

Mechanics and Common Sense

Scott Aaronson (EECS)

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SOUR CREAM APPLESAUCE

WHAT I WON’T DO:INSULT YOUR INTELLIGENCE

Abrams Hebrew Academy (Yardley, PA)

Quantum Computing

Quantum Mechanics in 1 Slide

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Quantum Mechanics:

Can apply linear transformations that conserve 2-norm of amplitude vectors

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Classical Probability:

Can apply linear transformations that conserve 1-norm of probability vectors

I love the 2-norm!Even in situations where

you would’ve thought only the 1-norm would

make sense!

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Probability Simplex (states of unit 1-norm):

Quantum Hilbert Space (states of unit 2-norm):

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So much for quantum mechanics. What’s the commonsense case for latke superiority?

LATKES ACTUALLY TASTE BETTER

Hot, fried, covered in sour cream or applesauce

Sort of OK

Edible???

Are you ready for an argument that’s probably never been made in the 60-year history of latke-hamentash debates?

Here—extremely unusually—quantum mechanics and common sense converge!

Lack of quantum 2-norm symmetry favored by God

Hard, dry, “classical” 1-norm corners

Bland, barely-edible hamentashen

Don’t trust authority! Taste for yourself!

Restaurants Serving Latkes

Restaurants Serving Hamentashen

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